Download Save Money at the Grocery

For Better Living
Sandra R. Cain
Save Money at the Grocery Store
Food prices predicted to rise 4-5 percent this year
The price of gas is not the only thing making headlines. Food costs at the grocery store
are getting our attention as well. Reporters talk about the rise in the cost of gas and milk
in the same sentence.
The Department of Agriculture is predicting a 4 to 5 percent rise in food prices this year.
Consumers are searching out bargains at the grocery store - certainly a change from the
previous norm of relying on convenience foods. The search for lower prices may force
shoppers to look less at healthier choices and more at the bottom line in search of
bargains.
Here are a few tips that can benefit your health and your pocketbook at the grocery store:
 Make a list and stick to it. With a list, you are less likely to buy on impulse.
You'll also save by avoiding extra trips back to the store when you forget
something you need. Keep a running list of what you need. Compare your list to
the weekly sales papers and add items that are on sale.

Buy on sale and stock up. If you have room in your freezer to store extra food,
over-wrap items to keep air out and extend the life and protect the quality of
things you get at a deal.

Buy seasonal vegetables and fruits. Buy only what you'll use - fresh produce
has a short shelf life. Be creative with your produce if it's nearing the end of its
shelf life. If the bananas get too ripe, for example, make banana bread. We lose
money when we have to toss food because it was left too long and ends up in the
garbage.

Avoid shopping when you're hungry. You'll likely wind up putting "extras" in
your grocery cart and eventually on your waist line if you get a snack attack. If
you don’t think you spend much money on snacks, try keeping a tally of all the
snack foods you buy in one week. It may surprise you how much you are
spending.

Shop alone. Leave the kids and other family members at home. Too many
shoppers can drive up the total grocery bill in a hurry.

Use coupons for items you typically buy. You can find coupons in newspaper
ads and online, too. If the grocery store you use has double or triple coupon days,
take advantage of it.

If you don't already have a store discount card, sign up.

Plan meals ahead and try planning your meals around sale items. Not only
does this help with making the grocery list, but it also helps you plan leftovers for
lunches, which saves money over going out to lunch. Leftovers also can be used
for a quick dinner when your time is limited and you may want to grab fast food
instead. Knowing in advance you can count on leftovers also keeps you from
overbuying foods which have a limited shelf life. Remember to check expiration
dates.

Choose less processed food and cook from scratch more often. Cooking from
scratch is better for both your health and budget. Processed food is often high in
sodium, fat and calories. A recent study showed that more than half of consumers
are buying fewer prepared meals and cooking more often from scratch.

Buy food in bulk when it's cost effective. You can do some simple math to
determine the unit pricing, and some stores list unit prices on the shelf tag along
with the overall item price. It's cheaper to buy larger quantities of some foods. If
you want smaller packages of food for convenience, repackage them at home in
smaller bags. But check your prices carefully; sometimes the bigger size isn't a
bargain and the cost of several smaller bags or boxes may actually be less.

Consider store brands. Be sure to consider store brands. Most often, these cost
much less than name brands and taste just as good!
Source: Colorado Cooperative Extension
Zucchini Chocolate Cake
1-3/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup 1% buttermilk
2 cups shredded zucchini
1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cups chopped pecans, toasted
In a large mixing bowl, beat sugar and oil on medium speed for 1 minute. Add
eggs, applesauce and vanilla. Beat 1 minute longer. Combine flour, cocoa,
baking soda and salt. Add to sugar mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating
just until blended. Stir in zucchini. Pour into a 9 x 13 baking pan, sprayed with
nonstick spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with chocolate
chips and pecans. Bake 10 – 15 minutes longer or until toothpick comes out
clean. Cool on a wire rack.